Taco? Soft or Crispy?

Did you know that the word taco derives in from a word which typically means a plug or wad used to fill a hole? That’s one of many things about the beloved Mexican dish I bet you didn’t know. Wikipedia also informs us that the taco predates the arrival of Europeans in Mexico, in the article, Taco. Needless to say there’s a lot more to this popular nosh than appears on the plate. ... Read More

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The Exotic Travels of Tabbouleh

Modified  Wikimedia Commons image. Copyright: Artusername. Creative commons license.

Tabbouleh, also known as Tambouli, Kisir, Tabouli and Eetch, is common fare in the Middle East. I wouldn’t doubt it if this dish had a passport or two more for other countries. This is a traditional salad served in a variety of ways. Its history goes back at least 4,000 years. ... Read More

Agatha Christie: Grande Dame of Mystery Fiction

Nobody does whodunits with the style and flair of Agatha Christie – no one. Known for creating sleuths more clever than the world’s greatest fiction detectives, Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie’s novels and stories have held mystery readers in thrall for almost ninety-five years. ... Read More

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GAIAM SEASONAL CLEARANCE SALE

Why Is My Table Salt Pink?

Modified Flickr image. Copyright Salty Chip. License.

At a trendy restaurant which specializes in catering to the health conscious palate, you reach for the salt dish. What a surprise when you remove the lid. The salt is pink! What’s up with that? ... Read More

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Boo Fiction: How Writers Get A Scare On

You’re in a darkened room, and all eyes are on the TV. There’s no sound other than the background music coming from the movie flickering on the screen, then suddenly, there’s a scream. The popcorn bowl goes flying and the tension is broken. That’s in the movies. What about writing a ghost story?
... Read More

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Polly Put The Kettle On

Modified from flickr image. Photographer: Sharada Prasad. License.

There’s nothing more entertaining than watching bubbles form and rise to the top in a kettle of water coming to a boil. You can do this in a glass electric kettle. Kettles weren’t always made from glass. The history of this well-loved device is rather interesting. ... Read More

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The Mistress of Bjerkebæk

I’m an avid reader, but have a narrow genre preference when reading. Sometimes I stray into other areas of interest and am rarely disappointed. One such excursion was the series Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. I still reflect on the books and on the life of the author, also a Nobel Prize laureate.  Read More

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Ancient Harvest’s Quinoa Pasta

Easy Quinoa Pasta Dish

My dietary needs have changed drastically, underscoring the need for focus on a more aggressive change. I recently discovered the superfood, quinoa. The most important package it brings to the nutrition table is a complete protein. This grain/seed is so impressive, I wrote about it in Jaquo article, Quinoa: Impressive. ... Read More

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The Piano Guys

The word ‘fusion’ is something I’m familiar with when speaking of the arts. Belly dance is the platform with which I associate fusion. That’s not the only artistic arena in which fusion is possible, and I’m not thinking of cold fusion. The Piano Guys (TPG), with their exquisite blend of classical and contemporary music, is who I have in mind. ... Read More

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Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

What would you say if I told you that bubble wrap didn’t start out as a packing material? What could the original intent for this time-waster come shipping material possibly have been? Wallpaper. Yup, wall paper. ... Read More

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Valentine’s Day, or So They Say

When, again, is St. Valentine’s day? February 14, right? Yes … and no. Valentine’s day is celebrated on February 14, July 6, July 30 and June 12. Why so many days on which this holiday is observed? ... Read More

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Making the Best of a Small Living Space

Making the Best of a Small Living Space My idea for comfortable living includes a home with mulitple bedrooms. Five bedrooms would be a good start. But why would a single gal need so much space? ... Read More

Image courtesy of author.

Cheek for Cheek and So On

The most fun endeavors, many times, come to be as the result of a lark. My first book, under one of my pseudonyms, was written because I was feeling rather snarky and just knew I could. Much the same with Novel in a Day (NIAD). NIAD was born “tongue in cheek.” I’m not sure just how much cheek ... Read More

Image courtesy  of Rog (AKA: Pigfender).

The Wizard Behind the Curtain, D-Day NIAD.

How I Got Sorted to Write

Not everyone starts writing the traditional way. You know, go to university, get a degree and become an author. This is my story on how I got started with writing and the two primary inducements to do so ... Read More

Image courtes of Keith Blount, Scrivener creator.

An Apartment Dweller’s Dilemma

Are you an apartment dweller? Me too! I bet you hate the limited space like I do, right? Well, I’ve been finding ways to make the best of the space in my apartment. The living space here is a two-bedroom, two bath with a small dining area ... Read More

Image courtesy of author.

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Organizing Scrivener Files

When writing a story, keeping the work organized and the details readily available is the greater difficulty of the writing process. Being able to come up with the idea and flesh it out is not necessarily easy but if your material is organized much the same as a ball of yarn after the cat has played with it, you’re in for an uphill struggle ... Read More

Image courtesy of author.

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Quinoa: Impressive!

When I first heard of Quinoa, I read of it actually, I wasn’t impressed. I also hadn’t a clue how to pronounce it either. I’m sorry to say that when I went into the local store to inquire, the sales persons I encountered didn’t know what it was – whether I spelled it, tried to pronounce it or described it. If I hadn’t read about it while surfing the internet, I would have thought myself to have gone doolally and made it up ... Read More

Image photo-manipulated by author.

Original image from Morguefile.com

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It’s Not All In The Clay, Master Potter!

I have another new article up on Jaquo.

Tonight’s your first clay class.You’ve seen wonderful creations on exhibit at the craft shows you attended recently. You want to be one of those artists. You want to be able to produce exquisite masterpieces on a par with those you saw on display ... Read More

Image photo-manipulated by author.

Original image from Morguefile.com.

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Introducing Jaquo

I've just upped my writing game. Jaquo, a new online Lifestyle Magazine, also publishes a quarterly glossy copy which will be available starting in the Spring of 2015.

My first article, An Apartment Dweller’s Dilemma, is available now.